Guest Post: 10 things you should know before you make your own book cover.

We all know the importance of a good book cover when it comes to attracting new readers.  Here below is author and designer (and good friend on mine) Alexandra Engellmann's take on the subject.

Sky Ghosts: All For One Cover History

"Since the day I published my book, I changed the cover 3 times. It ended when I gave up on the old idea and painted a completely different cover that, I believed, would be a much better start for a series. The number of reasons I wasn't satisfied with the old one was huge: it was very limiting for the series, the title and author's name were illegible, the illustration wasn't as intriguing as it could be, it brought genre confusion and didn't stand out among the others. These are only the most important reasons.
 
No matter if you're planning to make your own book cover or hire a designer, you should know typical mistakes that self-published authors make when choosing a cover for their book. And I'd like to explain them using my own example. So, here's the list of things you should know before you start working on your book cover ideas.

1. It has to be catchy. There's no way around it. This is your best chance to attract the reader, considering the amount of books out there. Yes, it has to be bright, colorful, stealing the customer's attention from everything else. And yes, it has to have a big, intriguing element that stands out on the thumbnail.

2. Big, readable title and author name. Yes, there is the book title link next to the cover on Amazon or other stores. But the book will also go on many promotional sites where there's just a thumbnail. Your name and title are your brand, and it has to be visible. If the name is too long, make sure it's at least legible on the newsletter-sized picture (about twice as big as the Amazon thumbnail).

3. Covers have genre, too. Make sure that if your potential reader sees your thumbnail, they can tell it's their genre. My old cover could easily be confused with a horror book. A book cover designer will do it right, but if you want to make your own book cover, make sure your cover ideas don't interfere with your genre.

4. The thumbnail is more important than the big picture. I can't stress this enough. Especially, with Goodreads and its teeny-tiny thumbnail the size of a postage stamp. If you have a big, bright, catchy element on the cover, with the right air of the genre to it, you'll have more potential readers from Goodreads. When I changed my cover to the latest one, I got 5-10 adds a day instead of 3. Right away.

5. Be careful with symbolism. If people will understand the symbolic meaning of your cover only after they read the book - this is not the right cover. It has to be intriguing on its own.

6. Don't overload the picture. I have two big elements - the figure and the wings. I wanted the cover to show that it's urban fantasy, but I didn't need a detailed New York background. The result? A simple, blurry, pale bridge behind the figure.

7. Don't overdo the title, either. If you have a catchy illustration, you don't need a catchy font. They shouldn't clash with each other. It's a very subtle balance between the title looking too plain for the beautiful art you have, and overbalancing it and ruining the whole picture. With my last cover, I didn't have the slightest idea of how the title should look. I experimented with the layout, fonts, and colors. In the end, it was a color glitch that gave me the title I loved. I just saw it and said "This is it".

This is what you should look for, the title that will look like it belongs on the illustration. If you're not sure, go to sleep, and take a look at it next day. You'll see :)

8. Forget about what you like. You're making a cover for the reader to like, so it has to fit in with the genre. Yes, I loved black, matte, velvet book covers. No, it wasn't the best idea for my book, at least not with this illustration. I had to get over my own taste and make something that all fantasy lovers would find interesting. Do I regret it? Not a little bit.

9. Now, this is something I'm not sure I have to mention, but avoid cliche covers at all costs. I don't know if people who make/buy covers a la man chest/gun/rose/money/wolf/add-your-own-object will read this post at all, but don't put everything you have in a book on your cover! Look at the books in your category on Amazon and pay attention to what cliche covers you should avoid. Find a few covers that you think are fantastic, and don't settle for anything less. No bad quality photo manipulation or art. No illegible pictures. No trashy covers. Otherwise, you'll forever be associated with trash books.

10. And the last one, that I think is very, very important: seek advice. Ask other people's opinion before you upload your new cover to Amazon. You need a fresh pair of eyes, or better, three. And it's not your mom's advice, even if she's an artist. I used Reddit for it. There are a few subreddits where you can post your cover and ask for constructive critique. Digital Painting and Art are just a couple of examples. You'll be surprised how many things others will notice on your cover and you'll actually agree with them."

I don't know about but I've learned a lot here!  Here's a link to Alexandra's blog for more content like this.

And of course you can download her book at http://www.amazon.com/Sky-Ghosts-All-Alexandra-Engellmann-ebook/dp/B00QQABR5U.

And here's a snippet of her next venture into the Sky Ghost universe, Sky Ghost: Marco.

Plans for 53km JKIA road finally released

Plans to construct a 53-kilometre Jomo Kenyatta International Airport-Rironi road to ease congestion in the city have been announced.


The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said in a statement on Tuesday funding for the project will be provided by the World Bank while the designs were funded by the government.


The road is divided into three sections: JKIA-Likoni Road Junction at the Southern Bypass Interchange; Likoni Road Junction-James Gichuru Road Junction near ABC Place on Waiyaki Way and the James Gichuru Road Junction-Rironi section.


KeNHA said tenders to build sections of the road had already been advertised and procurement was ongoing.


“We had to find a better way of moving people through a well-organised bus system using dedicated lanes, and thus we came up with the Rapid Bus Transit system, a faster and efficient way of moving people,” KeNHA General Manager David Muchilwa said.


The project entails building a dual carriageway from JKIA, passing through Likoni Road and linking James Gichuru Road to Rironi on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.


The road will have a dedicated Rapid Bus Transit lane from JKIA to Kikuyu.


Mr Muchilwa says construction of the service lanes will begin before the contractor moves in to build the inner lanes.


The JKIA turnoff to Likoni Road junction will have an additional lane on either side between JKIA terminal and Likoni Road junction while service lanes will be built on both sides between Likoni Road junction and the start of the flight path.


ELEVATED DUAL CARRIAGEWAY


Feeder roads at the Likoni and James Gichuru junction will have an elevated dual carriageway over the median between the road-over-rail bridge just before Haile Selassie Intersection up to the KBC headquarters.


Rapid Bus Transit lanes will also be included alongside interchanges at intersections on Popo-Kapiti, Langata-Lusaka, Bunyala road, Rhapta and James Gichuru road.


The final stretch from James Gichuru to Rironi will have additional lanes on both sides and space will be left in the middle of the road for a future bus rapid transit system.


The road expansion is expected to spur industrial expansion in the area by easing access to the Industrial Area.

Liverpool sign Hoffenheim's Firmino

LONDON


Liverpool have signed Brazilian international forward Roberto Firmino, the Premier League club said on Wednesday, with the BBC reporting the fee would be £29 million (41 million euros, $46 million).


The striker, currently on duty for Brazil in the Copa America in Chile, will join from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.


"Liverpool Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim, subject to a medical which will take place immediately following the player's participation in Copa America 2015 for Brazil," the club said in a statement on its website.


"The 23-year-old has agreed a long-term contract with the club," it added.


The BBC said that the contract was for five years and was the second highest ever paid by Liverpool after it shelled out £35 million for Andy Carroll in 2011.


Firmino scored 47 goals in 151 appearances during his four and a half years in Germany.

He has scored four times in nine appearances for his country, including Sunday's Copa America winner against Venezuela.

10 dead, 30 injured in suicide blast in NE Nigeria village

Ten people were killed at a market in northeast Nigeria on Tuesday when a girl thought to be aged just 12 detonated explosives she was carrying, a relative of one of the injured victims and a health worker told AFP.


The blast happened at about 11:00 am (1000 GMT) at the weekly market in Wagir, in the Gujba district south of the Yobe state capital Damaturu.


"It was a suicide attack by a girl of around 12 years," said Hussaini Aisami, whose relative was among at least 30 people injured by the blast.


"She went into the market and headed straight to the grain section. She detonated her explosives in the middle of traders and customers.


"Ten people died from the explosion. We brought 30 people to the hospital," said Aisami.


Tuesday's attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram Islamists, who have used young women and girls in the past as human bombs and regularly attacked "soft" civilian targets such as markets.


On Monday, a girl thought to be aged about 17 killed at least 20 at a bus station near a fish market in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, when the explosives she was carrying went off.


A girl about the same age was also killed nearby when she blew up but there were no other casualties.


DEAD BODIES


Security analysts studying the phenomenon have suggested that younger girls may have their explosives detonated remotely by a third party.


The injured from Wagir were taken to the Sani Abachi Specialist Hospital in Damaturu for treatment but others with less serious injuries were released.


A nurse at the hospital, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed Aisami's account after speaking to other relatives.


"We received 30 people with various grievous injuries from Wagir this afternoon. We have not received any dead bodies. Residents from the village said the dead were taken out for burial from the scene after the blast at the market ," the nurse said.


The latest deaths are another reminder of the threat posed by Boko Haram, despite the group being pushed out of captured territory by a four-nation military offensive since February.


Suicide attacks, raids and shelling have increased since new President Muhammadu Buhari took power on May 29 vowing to crush the militants.


In all, some 208 people have been killed since then, according to AFP reporting.

Unions oppose govt proposal to freeze public workers pay

The Public Servants Union says it will strongly oppose any attempt by the government to reduce or freeze salary increments for public servants who are union members.


The union has also threatened to sue the government in case it goes ahead to act on the issue.


The union, a splinter group from the Union of Kenya Civil Servants has supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his pension.


The union’s Secretary-General Francis Ngariuku said the Cord leader’s retirement benefits should not be politicised and he should be paid his pension dues like any other retired public servant.


Speaking in Nairobi, the public servants union said it would oppose any attempt by the government or the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to change the salaries of public servants already in service.


BREACH OF CONTRACTS


It stated that the members were employed based on a contract and any alterations would be a breach of the same and would be challenged in court.


Mr Ngariuku said any measure affecting its members’ salaries must be negotiated.


“It is not a walk over for the ministry to think they can cut salaries just like that because there should be proper negotiation between all stakeholders involved in the public service,” Mr Ngariuku said.


The union spoke out following reports of plans by the government to enforce a pay-cut among senior public servants in an effort to reduce to the huge public wage bill.


President Uhuru Kenyatta is on record urging senior government officials to take a 10 per cent pay cut.


There has been concern that many public servants earn a lot more than they deserve in relation to the kind of work they do.


The other concern has been that some public servants earn much more than their colleagues in the same job groups and job description.

Unions oppose govt proposal to freeze public workers pay

The Public Servants Union says it will strongly oppose any attempt by the government to reduce or freeze salary increments for public servants who are union members.


The union has also threatened to sue the government in case it goes ahead to act on the issue.


The union, a splinter group from the Union of Kenya Civil Servants has supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his pension.


The union’s Secretary-General Francis Ngariuku said the Cord leader’s retirement benefits should not be politicised and he should be paid his pension dues like any other retired public servant.


Speaking in Nairobi, the public servants union said it would oppose any attempt by the government or the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to change the salaries of public servants already in service.


BREACH OF CONTRACTS


It stated that the members were employed based on a contract and any alterations would be a breach of the same and would be challenged in court.


Mr Ngariuku said any measure affecting its members’ salaries must be negotiated.


“It is not a walk over for the ministry to think they can cut salaries just like that because there should be proper negotiation between all stakeholders involved in the public service,” Mr Ngariuku said.


The union spoke out following reports of plans by the government to enforce a pay-cut among senior public servants in an effort to reduce to the huge public wage bill.


President Uhuru Kenyatta is on record urging senior government officials to take a 10 per cent pay cut.


There has been concern that many public servants earn a lot more than they deserve in relation to the kind of work they do.


The other concern has been that some public servants earn much more than their colleagues in the same job groups and job description.

Unions oppose govt proposal to freeze public workers pay

The Public Servants Union says it will strongly oppose any attempt by the government to reduce or freeze salary increments for public servants who are union members.


The union has also threatened to sue the government in case it goes ahead to act on the issue.


The union, a splinter group from the Union of Kenya Civil Servants has supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his pension.


The union’s Secretary-General Francis Ngariuku said the Cord leader’s retirement benefits should not be politicised and he should be paid his pension dues like any other retired public servant.


Speaking in Nairobi, the public servants union said it would oppose any attempt by the government or the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to change the salaries of public servants already in service.


BREACH OF CONTRACTS


It stated that the members were employed based on a contract and any alterations would be a breach of the same and would be challenged in court.


Mr Ngariuku said any measure affecting its members’ salaries must be negotiated.


“It is not a walk over for the ministry to think they can cut salaries just like that because there should be proper negotiation between all stakeholders involved in the public service,” Mr Ngariuku said.


The union spoke out following reports of plans by the government to enforce a pay-cut among senior public servants in an effort to reduce to the huge public wage bill.


President Uhuru Kenyatta is on record urging senior government officials to take a 10 per cent pay cut.


There has been concern that many public servants earn a lot more than they deserve in relation to the kind of work they do.


The other concern has been that some public servants earn much more than their colleagues in the same job groups and job description.

MP files urgent motion to discuss NYS

An Opposition MP has filed a motion urging the National Assembly to suspend its business on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the affairs of the National Youth Service (NYS) as a matter of “urgent national importance”.


Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi says in the notice of motion sent to Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso that the Kenyan public is greatly concerned about the latest happenings at the National Youth Service.


“The NYS has lately dominated news for all the wrong reasons — reports of attempted fraud amounting to about Sh800 million, power struggles within its leadership, violent public demonstrations and counter-demonstrations regarding its activities, skewed recruitment of the youth contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and general corruption,” Mr Wandayi says.


UNDERMINE ITS CAPACITY


He says that if left to go on unchecked, the state of affairs at the NYS could undermine its capacity as an institution and render it unable to deliver on its mandate.


This would also jeopardise efforts at national cohesion and integration, he says in the notice addressed to the Speaker.


If Dr Laboso accepts this motion, the National Assembly could take at least one hour for discussion, which would give MPs an opportunity to discuss the NYS matter.


The NYS has been in the news since Wednesday last week after the Central Bank notified the Devolution and Planning ministry of large payments from their account.


Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru later said there had been an aborted attempt to irregularly pay out Sh826 million from the NYS.


This has sparked protests and demonstrations in Nairobi and Kisumu.

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Healthy Cooking Classes

As a long time nutritionist, Carrie has extensive knowledge and experience in Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo and Gluten free cooking and health.  Carrie would like to share this knowledge to help others along the path of healthy eating and also those who would like to be more health conscious as well as environmentally friendly with their food choices.

Carrie's cooking program includes step by step instructions in making delicious and healthy meals as well as guiding you through the shopping experience, familiarising yourself with sourcing suitable ingredients. This can sometimes be a challenging and daunting task!  With Carrie's help you will be a pro in no time. 

 Caring Cook Cooking Classes For Everyone
Learn to cook Healthy, Nutritious & Delicious Food for all the family.
Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo & Gluten Free Meals.

A four week course on Sunday afternoons.
Classes are catered for all levels including beginners and also those with additional needs. Groups welcome!
Times available: Sunday 3pm – 5pm
Investment includes $120 for the 4 weeks of classes and $20 each week for the ingredients*

Booking fee of $50 required prior to commencing to secure place. Please contact Carrie to arrange payment method.

Contact Caring Cook - Ph: 0481 059 857
Email: caringcookcreations@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/caringcook
*Prior to each week you will be given a list of ingredients for the class and suppliers to familiarise yourself with the shopping experience.

Jadwal Nulis Ibu Rumah Tangga

Siapa bilang kalau ibu rumah tangga itu gak punya banyak waktu untuk menulis. Diantara rutinitas mengurus anak, merapikan rumah dan masak ternyata masih banyak waktu lho yang bisa digunakan untuk menulis. Apalagi kalau anak-anak sudah berusia di atas lima tahun. 

Jika si ibu bangun pagi hari, maka hanya perlu waktu tidak lebih dari 30 menit untuk menyiapkan sarapan pagi. Setelah anak-anak berangkat sekolah si ibu masih bisa merapikan rumh sekaligus mencuci dan menyetrika pakaian. Ini hanya memerlukan waktu antara 1-2 jam. Setelah itu masih bisa ke pasar dan menyiapkan bahan untuk dimasak nanti siang. Ini memakan waktu sekitar 1 jam. 

Misalnya saja si ibu bangun pada pukul 4.30 pagi. Maka semua rutinitas itu akan selesai pada jam 8 -9 pagi. Kegiatan mengurus rumah akan dimulai lagi pada jam 12 siang untuk menyiapkan makan siang dengan waktu memasak tidak lebih dari 30 menit karena bahan masakan sudah disiapkan pagi tadi. Jadi ada waktu luang sekitar 4 jam. Nah kalau kita menulis dan melakukan riset sekaligus, maka kita bisa lho mendapatkan sekurang-kurangnya 5-6  halaman A4. Yang berarti 1 cerita pendek untuk dikirim ke majalah. 

Kalau kita terbiasa menulis maka akan bisa menulis dengan cepat. Ini bisa menghasilkan sekurang-kurangnya 1 bab buku dengan jumlah halaman 5-8 halaman. NAh kalau kita ingin membuat novel dengan ketebalan 120 halaman, maka dengan waktu 4 jam yang ada ini kita bisa menulis dalam jangka waktu (120/8 =) 15 hari. 

Kalau kita seorang blogger, maka dengan waktu 4 jam tersebut bisa dihasilkan sekurang-kurangnya 4 postingan, dengan hitungan 1 jam untuk 1 postingan. NAh kalau 1 bulan berarti kita sudah bisa membuat (4 X 20 hari ) = 80 postingan. 

Itu kalau kita hanya memanfaatkan waktu luang di siang hari saja. Hari sabtu dan minggu si ibu masih bisa menikmati hari libur bersama keluarga. Sisa waktu masih bisa digunakan untuk kegiatan bersama anak-anak seperti nonton TV bareng, masak bareng ataupun ngobrol seputar kegiatan sehari-hari. Jadi masih banyak waktu menulis bukan? Walaupun ada banyak kesibukan sebagai ibu rumah tangga. 

Mengenal Karakter Penerbit itu Perlu

Penolakan naskah seringkali terjadi pada penulis baik itu penulis pemula bahkan penulis yang sudah senior seklaipun. Salah satu alasan naskah kita ditolak adalah karena tidak sesuai dengan penerbit. Misalnya saja kita mengirim naskah novel anak kepada penerbit yang lebih suka menerbitkan kumpulan cerita. Jadi bisa dibilang penolakan naskah kita karena salah alamat. 

Untuk mengetahui karakter penerbit tentu saja kita harus melakukan riset kecil. Seperti misalnya jenis buku apa yang lebih sering diterbitkan oleh si penerbit. Berapa ketebalan buku yang lebih disukai oleh si penerbit. Karena ada juga lho penerbit yang lebih suka menjual buku-uku tebal yang eksklusif dengan harga mahal. Tapi ada juga penerbit yang lebih suka menerbitkan buku-buku novel dengan jumlah halaman yang standar dan penampilan yang biasa-biasa saja.